Memory

Memory

Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily or permanently. For example, Random Access Memory (RAM), is a volatile memory that stores information on an integrated circuit used by the operating system, software, and hardware.

• What does computer memory look like?
• Volatile vs. non-volatile memory
• What happens to memory when the computer is turned off?
• Memory is not disk storage
• How is memory used
• Why is memory important or needed for a computer?
• Types of RAM
• Related memory pages.
• Computer memory help and support.

What does computer memory look like?

 

Below is an example picture of a 512 MB DIMM computer memory module. This memory module connects to the memory slot on a computer motherboard.

Volatile vs. non-volatile memory
Memory can be either volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory is a memory that loses its contents when the computer or hardware device loses power. Computer RAM is an example of a volatile memory and is why if your computer freezes or reboots when working on a program, you lose anything that hasn't been saved. Non-volatile memory, sometimes abbreviated as NVRAM, is a memory that keeps its contents even if the power is lost. EPROM is an example of a non-volatile memory.

What happens to memory when the computer is turned off?
As mentioned above because memory (RAM) is a volatile memory when the computer loses power anything stored in RAM is lost. For example, as you are working on creating a document it is stored in RAM if it is not saved to a non-volatile memory (e.g., the hard drive) it would be lost if the computer lost power.

Memory is not disk storage

It is very common for new computer users to be confused by what parts in the computer are memory. Although both the hard drive and RAM are memory, it is more appropriate to refer to RAM as "memory" or "primary memory" and a hard drive as "storage" or "secondary storage."

When someone asks how much memory is in your computer, it is often between 1 GB and 16 GB of Random Access Memory (RAM) and several hundred gigabytes of even a terabyte of hard disk drive storage. In other words, you always have more hard drive space than RAM.

How can I learn more about computers?

How is memory used
 
When a program such as your Internet browser is open, it is loaded from your hard drive and placed into RAM, which allows that program to communicate with the processor at higher speeds. Anything you save to your computer, such as a picture or video, is sent to your hard drive for storage.

Why is memory important or needed for a computer?
 
All of devices on a computer do not operate at the same speed and computer memory gives your computer a place to quickly access data. If the CPU had to wait for a secondary storage device like a hard disk drive the computer would be much slower.

Types of RAM
Some of the more common types of memory chips for computers are listed below.

• EDO RAM
• SDRAM
• DDR RAM
• DDR2 RAM
• DDR3 RAM
• DDR4 RAM

These types of memory all fall into the general categories of SIMM or DIMM.

Related memory pages
Determining how much RAM is installed and available.
How much memory or RAM should my computer have?
Determining available hard drive space.
Memory buying tips
Computer memory manufacturers.
Computer memory help and support.
GDDR, Memory capacity, Memory terms, RAM, Primary storage, Processing device, ReadyBoost, TSR, Virtual memory, Volatile memory

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How much memory or RAM should my computer have?

How much memory or RAM should my computer have?


This question depends on the type of computer user you are, what programs you plan on running on the computer, and how many programs you have open at a given time. A method of determining how much RAM you should have is to look at the system requirements of the programs you run on your computer and double the memory requirements. However, below is the general recommendation for the amount of memory we suggest that today's computers have.

Minimum: 2 GB
Recommended: 4-6 GB
Excellent: 8 GB or more.

If you are using an older computer, with an older version of an operating system, the minimum memory requirements can be a lot less. For example, users who are still running Microsoft Windows 98 can get away with 64 MB of memory since its requirements are only 24 MB.

Note: Keep in mind that a 32-bit version of any Microsoft Windows operating system only detects a maximum of 4 GB of total system memory. Upgrading to a 64-bit processor and a 64-bit version of Windows will increase your memory requirements, but it also allows your computer to recognize more memory.

Windows detects 2.75 GB or no more than 4 GB of memory.

What happens if my computer has less than 2 GB?

As long as you are using an older operating system as mentioned above, you can still get away with 2 GB or less of memory. However, running an older operating system can pose a security threat because older operating systems are no longer updated. If you are running a newer computer with 2 GB or less of memory, having that low of an amount of memory can cause the computer to run slow.

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